ED summoned Amarinder after he questioned position in BJP: Pargat Singh

Chandigarh: Former education minister and Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh on Thursday criticised the BJP after the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) summoned former chief minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh.Pargat alleged that soon after Amarinder Singh publicly questioned his position within the BJP and stated that the party did not understand Punjab, central agencies moved against him.The Congress leader claimed that the BJP misused central agencies for political purposes. The ED and other agencies target opposition leaders across the country, he added.Pargat claimed, when Amarinder Singh was the CM, central agencies were used to exert pressure on him over issues concerning Punjab and its farmers. He said, under such circumstances, Amarinder Singh was compelled to join the BJP.The senior leader said what happened with Amarinder Singh could happen to any Punjabi leader. "This should serve as a warning to leaders considering joining parties like the BJP or the Aam Aadmi Party. They must think carefully before taking such a step," he said.Expressing concern about Amarinder Singh's health, Pargat wished him well and advised him to focus on his retirement, suggesting that he write books and spend time with his family and friends.Pargat also criticised the AAP govt in Punjab, alleging that it is following the BJP's model of "misusing govt machinery". He claimed that cases were registered against some of AAP's own MLAs and several such matters did not reach a logical conclusion. Dissenting voices, including those within party ranks, are being sidelined, he added.